School of Rock – The Musical Performing at West Potomac High School | News Release | Beyond the Page Theatre Company of West Potomac High School

Book by JULIAN FELLOWES Lyrics by GLENN SLATER New Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

Plus the original songs from the film

Beyond the Page Theatre Company (BTPTC) at West Potomac High School opens it’s 32nd Season: Beyond the Silver Screen with the Regional Premiere of School of Rock – The Musical, and they are here to rock!

In School of Rock – The Musical, down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet. When he discovers his students’ musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands. Based on the 2003 smash hit film of the same title, School of Rock – The Musical features classic hits as well as brand new music written by Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater, along with a book by Julian Fellowes. The show, directed by Laurence Connor, began on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre where it opened to rave reviews on December 6, 2015.

Critics and audiences alike have raved about School of Rock – The Musical, a New York Times Critics’ Pick. Entertainment Weekly called the show “AN INSPIRING JOLT OF ENERGY, JOY AND MAD SKILLZ!” Reuters notes ”ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER HAS BROADWAY ROCKING AGAIN!” The New York Times says, “BE WARNED! There’s a love story in this one.” Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and the original songs from the movie, this high-octane smash delivers face-melting guitar riffs and touching romance in equally awesome doses! School of Rock– The Musical also received four Tony Award nominations including Best Musical and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Alex Brightman).

West Potomac High School’s production will surely add to the show’s accolades. With a richly talented cast and crew, an innovative set design, and musical performances to rival last season’s Green Day’s American Idiot performances, School of Rock – The Musical at West Potomac High School promises to be a worthy regional premiere. Like the theatre troupe’s magical interpretation last season of another Andrew Lloyd Webber show, Starlight Express, this show will be transformative, thought-provoking, and just plain fun. Besides, you won’t want to miss it because everyone knows that “One great rock show can change the world….”

And change the world they will! Taking a page from last season’s award-winning success of Art That Matters, BTPTC will once again hold an art silent auction throughout the run of School of Rock. Rock-related art on display in the theater house will enhance the concert vibe for audiences with guitars that have been transformed into art pieces by the art students of West Potomac High School. These and other art pieces will be for sale at auction, with proceeds to benefit the organization Little Kids Rock, an organization with local chapters in the DC area which transforms lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in our schools (more info at www.littlekidsrock.org).

School of Rock – The Musical is just the beginning. Additional shows produced this season by West Potomac High School will also be based on classic movies, taking audiences beyond the Silver Screen. In January look for Night of the Living Dead, in March Billy Elliot and the BTPTC’S summer show which will be traveling to Scotland for the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Rock of Ages.